Wegovy
Kimma41
Posts: 48 Member
Hi Everyone,
So I'm 47 years old and have been on Wegovy injections since last February 2022 and I've lost 40lbs. It's a great accomplishment to finally be in a size 14 and actually feel skinny. But what hard work did I accomplish? Where do I feel good about what I've done. I'm toying with the idea of stopping Wegovy BUT I also don't want the weight to come back, that really scares me. I do have mental health struggles and physical ailments. So me going full bore after stopping Wegovy won't happen for me. It will definitely be a struggle. Anyone out there that can relate? Advice? I feel so alone. Thank You,
Kim
So I'm 47 years old and have been on Wegovy injections since last February 2022 and I've lost 40lbs. It's a great accomplishment to finally be in a size 14 and actually feel skinny. But what hard work did I accomplish? Where do I feel good about what I've done. I'm toying with the idea of stopping Wegovy BUT I also don't want the weight to come back, that really scares me. I do have mental health struggles and physical ailments. So me going full bore after stopping Wegovy won't happen for me. It will definitely be a struggle. Anyone out there that can relate? Advice? I feel so alone. Thank You,
Kim
6
Replies
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I think that's the main problem with Wegovy/Ozempic. It's pretty universal that once the drug is stopped, the patient regains all the weight, because their appetite comes back. Don't lose hope, start implementing good food practices and routines NOW, so that you don't become a statistic. Track what you eat. Accept that you will be hungry. Learn to love low calorie dense foods like fruits/vegetables/whole grains.12
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Sollyn do you still take injections?
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Well the work is what comes next! Start figuring out what your maintenance calories are. Start learning how to weigh and measure your food properly. Then when it’s time to stop the pharmaceutical, you are armed with the tools you need.9
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Hi Everyone,
So I'm 47 years old and have been on Wegovy injections since last February 2022 and I've lost 40lbs. It's a great accomplishment to finally be in a size 14 and actually feel skinny. But what hard work did I accomplish? Where do I feel good about what I've done. I'm toying with the idea of stopping Wegovy BUT I also don't want the weight to come back, that really scares me. I do have mental health struggles and physical ailments. So me going full bore after stopping Wegovy won't happen for me. It will definitely be a struggle. Anyone out there that can relate? Advice? I feel so alone. Thank You,
Kim
When I took Phen/Fen back in the 90s weight loss was effortless. I regained most of the weight after I stopped and my appetite came back. So I agree with the others about creating healthy habits now, but recognize the struggle, as while I was taking these drugs I didn't need the habits as the pills did all the work for me.5 -
Patients should be told up front that Wegovy is a lifetime commitment.
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No I dont agree with that.
weight loss medications dont have to be for life - as long as the person is committed to changes that will be sustainable long term and have an exit plan.9 -
songbird13291 wrote: »Patients should be told up front that Wegovy is a lifetime commitment.
No more than calorie counting or any other form of weight maintenance. You stop any of those and you’ll likely gain the weight back, too.
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Never done the shots but on top of what everyone else has mentioned maybe talk to your doctor bout tapering off (if possible). Then maybe wouldn't be such a 180 give your mind and body time to get used to everything above instead of just cold turkey 1 day not having it.2
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If you dont already, start tracking your food. Can you increase your activity? Use this time while on the med to learn how to eat. You can set yourself up for success by changing habits now.
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My prescriber (I just started tonight) said this would be a life long thing. Not every week. But every so often. She says my body is now holding on to this new weight set point and I'll be fighting against that a long time. It's worth it. The weight itself is a danger. I have other meds. I can add one more a month if it keeps me healthy.
One thing, this whole year I've been implementing habits to lead me to healthier life. It's working great. Once a habit is in, I bring in another. I'm logging, cooking at home, I'm walking, all water, a few others, and now: wegovy. Lots of stuff to come.8 -
Full Day 1: injection last night was easy. It can't be from the meds already at .25 but for posterity, I was tired today and less than normal appetite for a Saturday. Was fine at 1300-1400 calories. Got 11.5k steps (laundry day).
I've been reading some horror stories on WebMD about really bad side effects. But they don't share what other risk factors they had for side effects - other meds or issues, fried food or alcohol... Who knows? My only is that I'm vegetarian and usually don't eat enough protein. I'm gonna have to supplement. So... There's that info.0 -
Kimma - what is the concern with taking this med long term? Where is the root of that? That's just a thing for some of us 🤷♀️ I don't love taking SSRI, but it vastly improves my days. I hate taking meds (I don't take pills for headaches. I want to solve the issue.) But sometimes the issue is best solved and safely with meds. It's a miracle! If I have to take it for life to stay healthy, I will. Maybe my body will create a lower set point. But I think I waited too long to attack this. Now it's chronic. And that means this med possibly. We'll see. I'm not against it. It is what it is, I guess.
I wish you peace in this, whichever decision to take.1 -
sure, some meds are life long and that is unavoidable.
I am on thyroxine medication for life after surgically having half my thyroid removed due to a tumour - that is unavoidable
But I wouldnt be keen on taking a medication long term that is avoidable - ie that I could acheive same thing without the meds or at least without them long term.
and, in Australia anyway, they are also very expensive, unless for diabetes.2 -
Yup I get all that. Not having to be on meds is better than having to be on meds for sho. We'll see how this goes. For now, I'm only on day 4 🤣
That said: no side effects yet. And appetite continues to subside. I didn't quite get to 1000 calories today, though, so I'll need to watch it.0 -
It's more than appetite suppression. I had been averaging 1400 - 1450 calories a day for 3 months and my weight just stayed within a 2 pound range. And it was miserable with the cravings and hunger. 1 week on Wegovy my daily average dropped to 1350 - the hunger and cravings were diminished considerably - and I dropped 1.8 pounds below the lowest weight I had been seeing the last 3 months. I know someone is going to say I wasn't counting carefully or accurately or whatever - but I'm counting by a consistent means - so one week at roughly 700 calories less and I dropped nearly 2 pounds - it's more than appetite suppression.
I'm 50 and going through menopause. Prior to my early 40's I confidently believed in CICO but these days that math ain't mathing.9 -
I agree. It's def more than appetite. In fact, I didn't know it was an appetite suppressant at all until I read more. It's the part about getting those darn sugars broken down. I'm jazzed! But I will enjoy the appetite part too 😁. It's giving me a shot at intermittent fasting.
Now if I can just get off this delicious coffee creamer, I'll be nailing it. But I like it so much.
Did anyone give up something big that they really liked but wasn't good for them?0 -
It's more than appetite suppression. I had been averaging 1400 - 1450 calories a day for 3 months and my weight just stayed within a 2 pound range. And it was miserable with the cravings and hunger. 1 week on Wegovy my daily average dropped to 1350 - the hunger and cravings were diminished considerably - and I dropped 1.8 pounds below the lowest weight I had been seeing the last 3 months. I know someone is going to say I wasn't counting carefully or accurately or whatever - but I'm counting by a consistent means - so one week at roughly 700 calories less and I dropped nearly 2 pounds - it's more than appetite suppression.
I'm 50 and going through menopause. Prior to my early 40's I confidently believed in CICO but these days that math ain't mathing.It's more than appetite suppression. I had been averaging 1400 - 1450 calories a day for 3 months and my weight just stayed within a 2 pound range. And it was miserable with the cravings and hunger. 1 week on Wegovy my daily average dropped to 1350 - the hunger and cravings were diminished considerably - and I dropped 1.8 pounds below the lowest weight I had been seeing the last 3 months. I know someone is going to say I wasn't counting carefully or accurately or whatever - but I'm counting by a consistent means - so one week at roughly 700 calories less and I dropped nearly 2 pounds - it's more than appetite suppression.
I'm 50 and going through menopause. Prior to my early 40's I confidently believed in CICO but these days that math ain't mathing.
it is still CICO - these meds allow you to excrete more sugar (that's why they are primarily for diabetics)
so effectively your body is absorbing less calories. You have changed the CI from your food part - CICO principle hasnt changed.
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Ok, and I'm just at the threshold of T2 diabetes, I would say it allows my body to operate - process calories - how it should. Like I said 700 fewer calories a week doesn't equal nearly 2 pounds loss. I ingested apx 10,000 calories for the week, would that mean my TDEE is under 500 calories a day? I think it's performing a correction in me - and maybe that's what you're saying about excreting more sugar - that allows for CICO to work. And I think that's a significant point - it can help your body behave as it should.0 -
Here’s the thing. I lost 75 pounds via diet and exercise, lost my focus, regained that weight. Lost it again, regained it.
In April 2022 I started with Saxenda, switched to Wegovy in January. I’ve lost 65 pounds. I wouldn’t say it was effortless, but it has become easier to stay on my plan. I am not going off this medication.7 -
Finally had a side effect on week 2 that I'll share in case anyone new to the meds is reading this: constipation for a few days. That so seldom happens to me that I had to research what you do. Miralax mix in pack. No taste. Drank it one afternoon. Next day when I had time, took care of business with no trouble. Sorry to get personal, but knowing this would've helped me.
That said, I'm starting week 4. Seems to be helping my appetite - I don't get to my calorie goal and I'm not hungry or even munchy. Weight loss is slow. But I'm still on 0.25mg. I'm way far away from the max dose. So I'll wait and see. No more side effects, by the way. Just for week 2 and 3. Used my cure once per week. Now back to normal.
No sickness either. Keep doing good stuff, y'all.3 -
Welp, I guess nobody is sharing 😉. But I can still write a little in case someone is looking for information.
I started 0.5 mg on Friday. No intestinal issues. Had a quick couple of pound weight loss the couple of days following, as I did right after I started the 0.25 mg.4 -
I started it this week, and my doctor did tell me it would be for life as most people who stop gain most of the weight back- if not more. She did say it will likely either be in pill form in the future or maybe a monthly injection. I'm wondering if once you reach your goal weight if you can reduce the dosage of Wegovy for maintenance. Anyone know?0
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I understand you will at least lessen the frequency of the doses. Once per month maybe instead of once per week. Then less maybe... Good luck! I hope you have an easy week of it 😺0
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First off, congrats for everyone taking steps to get more healthy.
Here's the link to the study that showed 60% weight regain after stopping semaglutide. The important thing to remember about this study is that the 60% number is the mean for the experimental group of about 200 people. Meaning, not everyone regained 60%. Roughly half would have regained less, and half more - barring any outliers skewing the mean.
It would have been useful if the study had provided a histogram so we could see the percentage of participants that were able to maintain for a year or for two. We simply don't know if this was 2%, 10%, or 20% (you get the idea). We do know from other studies of large weight loss (not drug aided) that about 20% of people can maintain the loss for 2 years. We also know that keeping food diaries and participating in support groups increases the likelihood of maintaining.
It's why I am on this site and keeping a food diary. I started semaglutide 3 weeks ago and am pleased with the results so far - about 2.5 pounds per week with no hunger.
Good health to all!7 -
It's disappointing that study didn't include body composition.
A month ago I made a thread here showing the data on the greater than expected loss in muscle mass from people on these drugs, and I was asking if people on the drugs were doing resistance training and taking more protein to mitigate that. It was crickets and tumbleweeds. Despite so many on the site talking about the drugs, there was I think just one single person who said they were just starting to do some weights.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10888958/are-those-taking-wegovy-or-ozempic-also-doing-resistance-training-and-increasing-protein/5 -
Retroguy2000 wrote: »It's disappointing that study didn't include body composition.
A month ago I made a thread here showing the data on the greater than expected loss in muscle mass from people on these drugs, and I was asking if people on the drugs were doing resistance training and taking more protein to mitigate that. It was crickets and tumbleweeds. Despite so many on the site talking about the drugs, there was I think just one single person who said they were just starting to do some weights.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10888958/are-those-taking-wegovy-or-ozempic-also-doing-resistance-training-and-increasing-protein/
I am indeed starting strength training as part of my effort for this reason. I read some recommendations that said strength training and increased protein intake can mitigate this. That said, I’m in my 50s and not particularly bothered with muscle mass at a cosmetic level. I just want to be more active and able to hiking on my reconstructed knees without pain or undue wear.
I also seem to recall a study (I like to read the scientific lit on this) that said that losing muscle mass as part of significant weight loss was not the same as losing strength. I’ll see if I can track that down tonight.
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Read that thread. I thought it was a pretty robust discussion. You seem to be a vocal advocate for resistance training, which is admirable. I too think it is a very valuable part of a weight loss program. However, I would like to point out that many of us who are being prescribed wegovy for obesity are dealing with some serious eating disorders including depression and some could be accurately characterized as fragile. Even advice given from the best of intentions can trigger feelings of failure and spiraling. Which I know are neither your intention nor your fault.
You do have valuable insights, which I appreciate and hope you continue to share.9 -
apressler3 wrote: »Read that thread. I thought it was a pretty robust discussion. You seem to be a vocal advocate for resistance training, which is admirable. I too think it is a very valuable part of a weight loss program. However, I would like to point out that many of us who are being prescribed wegovy for obesity are dealing with some serious eating disorders including depression and some could be accurately characterized as fragile. Even advice given from the best of intentions can trigger feelings of failure and spiraling. Which I know are neither your intention nor your fault.
You do have valuable insights, which I appreciate and hope you continue to share.
A.) 99% of people on MFP are here for weight loss, and hopefully eventual maintenance. (There’s a small number here counting calories to gain weight or bulk for bodybuilding). We were here well before Wegovy became a thing.
Wegovy users aren’t “specialer” than the rest of us, nor do they spiral or fail harder or faster. We’ve all got baggage.
B.) I absolutely second strength training.
As a 61 year old woman, who lost 97 pounds and began weight training at age 56, it’s made a massive difference in my ability to move in general.
The muscle is nice, as is the newly acquired ability to “fly” in yoga (my initial reason for taking up weights in the first place m) but the unexpected additional ability to lift things around the house, move freely, crouch and stand, and more are priceless beyond measure. I see a future of independence when before, we were planning around my health issues. And there’s also the lifting related benefits of staving off or minimizing osteoporosis.
Suggesting weight training isn’t to shame “fragile”injectees, it’s a genuine concerned suggestion to continue improving your life beyond weight loss.
@Retroguy2000 isn’t here shilling weights or shaming folks . He’s an actual member who has counted calories the old fashioned way and come out the other side.
I don’t think any of us care how folks lose weight. Just get it done, dammit. It’s the best thing you can do for your future.
Sign me:
“Formerly Obese and Now Taking Control of My Future and Wishing You Same However You Choose to Do It”
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It's more than appetite suppression. I had been averaging 1400 - 1450 calories a day for 3 months and my weight just stayed within a 2 pound range. And it was miserable with the cravings and hunger. 1 week on Wegovy my daily average dropped to 1350 - the hunger and cravings were diminished considerably - and I dropped 1.8 pounds below the lowest weight I had been seeing the last 3 months. I know someone is going to say I wasn't counting carefully or accurately or whatever - but I'm counting by a consistent means - so one week at roughly 700 calories less and I dropped nearly 2 pounds - it's more than appetite suppression.
I'm 50 and going through menopause. Prior to my early 40's I confidently believed in CICO but these days that math ain't mathing.
This is exactly appetite suppression. You're wrong to believe that decreasing your intake by 700 calories can't equate to a 2 pound weight loss because that first couple of weeks of decreased intake comes with a shedding of glycogen/water weight.
While, it helps your body metabolize sugar better, that in itself won't equate to weight loss. It's all about eating less calories and appetite suppression is what's doing it.2
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